Nio’s sub-brand Onvo will also be offered in right-hand drive (RHD) versions, the company’s founder and CEO William Li said on Friday at the Guangzhou Auto Show.
The newly revealed information suggests that the EV maker aims to enter RHD markets not only with its more affordable Firefly sub-brand, but also with its family-oriented marque.
Firefly is planned to start deliveries in Macau, Singapore and Hong Kong before the year end and expand to the UK, Thailand, and Australia in 2026.
The comments were made during a media roundtable on Friday, where the chief executive was talking about the Shanghai-based company’s first right-hand drive model.
“Firefly is Nio‘s first right-hand drive model,” Li stated, adding that “our Thai partners are here today, and we’ll soon be delivering in Singapore, with Hong Kong coming up shortly as well.”
William Li then added that the “Onvo will also have right-hand drive models next, but that will take a bit more time.”
Nio‘s CEO did not specify a timeline for the launch, nor what Onvo models (the L60, the L90 or the upcoming L80) would have RHD versions.
RHD Markets
The first right-hand drive Nio vehicle — a Firefly unit — was spotted in early October at the company’s UK engineering facilities.
The version hinted at its entry into key markets like the UK, Singapore, Hong Kong and Macau, Australia, and New Zealand.
Since then, the EV maker announced its expansion to Thailand with both the Nio and Firefly brands.
Additionally, it has launched Firefly in its first RHD market — Macau — earlier this month.
Business Strategy
Nio’s launch strategy differs by market and by business model.
The Shanghai-based group is shifting to a mixed business model overseas — maintaining direct-to-consumer showrooms in its existing markets while relying on local dealerships in upcoming ones.
In Europe, both Nio and Firefly brands have been recently introduced in Austria and Belgium, with Portugal to follow next week.
Meanwhile, in Armenia, it is preparing to introduce the family-oriented Onvo.
Earlier this month, the first batch of L60 models have been spotted in Uzbekistan, ahead of the launch announced earlier this year.
This Friday, Firefly‘s chief Daniel Jin said the company is negotiating with local distributors in Spain and Brazil — where Nio is reportedly expected to launch.
Onvo L90
At the same media roundtable, William Li also commented on the company’s two six-seat SUVs, in which it is focusing production, noting that Nio‘s “pure electric technology advantages are comprehensively demonstrated in the two models.
The chief executive highlighted the large space in the front trunks of the models.
“The Onvo L90 now has over 30,000 users, and our data shows that users now access the front trunk at nearly the same frequency as the rear trunk, or even slightly more.”
According to data presented by the brand on the Guangzhou Auto Show, Onvo’s average selling price climbed sharply in recent months following the launch of the L90 SUV, reaching a record high of 260,500 yuan ($36,650) in September.
The brand also unveiled a limited edition, named ‘Black Night,’ capped at 999 units.
